Record of Lodoss War was created in 1986 by Group SNE as a Dungeons & Dragons "replay" serialized in the Japanese magazineComptiq. Replays are not novels, but transcripts of RPG sessions, meant to both hold the interest of readers and convey the events that took place. They have proven to be popular, even to those who do not play role-playing games but are fans of fiction (including fantasy fiction). Similar to light novels, many characters and parties in replays have become popular as characters of anime. An example of such a character is the female elf Deedlit in Record of Lodoss War, who was played by science fiction novelist Hiroshi Yamamoto during the RPG sessions.

The popularity of the Record of Lodoss War replays was such that the Dungeon Master Ryo Mizuno started to adapt the story into some of the earliest Japanese-language domestic high fantasy novels in 1988.

When the replay series went on to become a trilogy, Group SNE had to abandon the Dungeons & Dragons rules and create their own game, dubbed Record of Lodoss War Companion and released in 1989. All three parts of the replay series were eventually published as paperbacks by Kadokawa Shoten from 1989 to 1991:

RPG Replay Record of Lodoss War I (ＲＰＧリプレイ ロードス島戦記ⅠAru Pī Jī Ripurei Rōdosutō Senki Wan?)—Parn's party, retake played according to the Record of Lodoss War Companion rules and incorporating elements from the novelization

RPG Replay Record of Lodoss War II (ＲＰＧリプレイ ロードス島戦記ⅡAru Pī Jī Ripurei Rōdosutō Senki Tū?)—Orson's party, retake played according to the Record of Lodoss War Companion rules and incorporating elements from the novelization

RPG Replay Record of Lodoss War III (ＲＰＧリプレイ ロードス島戦記ⅢAru Pī Jī Ripurei Rōdosutō Senki Surī?)—Spark's party, played according to the Record of Lodoss War Companion rules

The last volume of Mizuno's novelization was published by Kadokawa Shoten in 1993, and followed by two collections of short stories in 1995:

Record of Lodoss War 0: The Lady of Pharis

Record of Lodoss War 1: The Grey Witch (ロードス島戦記 灰色の魔女Rōdosutō Senki Haiiro no Majo?)

The first volume forms the basis for the first eight episodes of the Record of Lodoss WarOVA series, as well as the Record of Lodoss War: The Grey Witch manga series. The second was also adapted in manga form, and as a four-CD radio drama. The final five episodes of the OVA series are loosely based on the story told across the third and fourth novels and, having caught up with the ongoing novelization at that point, feature an original ending. The Record of Lodoss War: Chronicles of the Heroic Knight TV series is a more faithful adaptation of volumes three to seven. The first collection of short stories was adapted into the Record of Lodoss War: Deedlit's Tale manga series.

Mizuno later went on to pen two new series of novels: a prequel titled Legend of Lodoss (ロードス島伝説Rōdosu-tō Densetsu?)(1994 to 2002) and a sequel titled Record of Lodoss War Next Generation (新ロードス島戦記Shin Rōdosu-tō Senki?) (1998 to 2006), the first of which forms the basis for the Record of Lodoss War: The Lady of Pharis manga series.

The manga (and its anime derivative) Record of Lodoss War centers around the adventures of a youth by the name of Parn, the son of a dishonored knight. Part of his motivation for adventuring is to find out what happened to his father, and to restore his family's honor. Despite his inexperience, Parn is considered the leader, who is accompanied by his childhood best friend Etoh, his friend and sometimes advisor Slayn (and later by Slayn's lover Leylia), and his newfound mentor Ghim. They are accompanied by Parn's romantic interest, the high elfDeedlit, who comes from the Forest of No Return seeking an answer to her people's isolationism and an end to what she sees as a slow march to extinction and a thief named Woodchuck. Throughout the series, Parn comes into contact with friends and foes alike. His allies include King Kashue, King Fahn, Shiris, and Orson; his enemies include Emperor Beld, Ashram, and the evil necromancer Wagnard.

The manga and its anime derivative Chronicles of the Heroic Knight continues the adventures of Parn for the first eight episodes, but then centers around Spark and his adventures to complete a quest tasked onto him to protect Neese, the daughter of Slayn and Leylia. He is accompanied by his own cast of friends in the form of Leaf, Garrack, Greevus, Aldo, and Ryna. The television series shares similarities with the plot of the OVA, such as Wagnard seeking to kidnap Neese in order to use her as a reagent for the resurrection of Naneel, a priestess and the Avatar of Kardis who was slain by Leylia's mother, the high priestess Neese a short time after the battle with the demonic god. Leylia was the reincarnation of Naneel, but when she lost her virginity she was no longer capable of being the doorway or reagent needed to unseal Naneel.

The third series, Legend of Crystania, places the former villain Ashram into the seat of a would-be hero who is placed under a spell by a "god beast" of Crystania. The series then centers around Pirotess, his dark elven lover, as she tries to find a way to free him from the clutches of the spell and to restore him back to his living self.

The following is a timeline of the events as they take place in the original events surrounding Record of Lodoss War, and is derived from the replays and manga. All events are measured on the "NRC" (New Royal Calendar) as used on the continent of Alecrast.

Year

Event

NRC ??

The sorcerers of Kastuul seal away the fire giants (remnants of the cataclysmic war). Azzard, a sorcerer, strikes a covenant in which Jinn and Ifrit become guardian deities of a tribe in northern Lodoss, to protect the tribe from the attacks of Kastuul. The covenant causes the desertification of the region. Over time, the tribe splits into the Wind tribe and the Flame tribe. Later, sorcerers of Kastuul seals the two deities inside two sacred urns and ignites hostility between the two tribes.

NRC 0

A magic ritual fails and destroys the Tower of Magic, which magnifies the magical ability of a person through a crystal implant at the front of the peron's forehead. Most sorcerers of Kastuul have the implant and they lose their ability to use magic causing Kastuul to collapse. Governor Saluvan curses the ancient dragons to guard the governor's treasures. Karla, later to be known as "the Grey Witch", seals herself into an enchanted circlet, and upon her death knowledge of her whereabouts becomes vague.

NRC 50

Naneel, the queen of the dead and the avatar of Kardis begins to manipulate the people of Lodoss from within Alania.

NRC 100–200

Various city states arise, among them Kannon, Raiden, Roid, Rood, Adan, Marnie, Loran, Highland, Harken, Persei and Saluvad.

NRC 101

King Kadomos defeats Naneel and inaugurates the kingdoms of Alania. An expedition to Marmo is launched. After Kadomos himself is killed, the main force returns toLodoss, with a small remnant remaining to settle the land.

NRC 221

The Kingdom of Elvec is inaugurated, and its forces advance westward taking possession of Venon and Adan.

NRC 229

Elvec continues its expansion, forcibly merging with Rood, Marnie, and Loran. Revolution follows, and 20 years later these states reclaim independence from Elvec, and establish themselves as the Holy Kingdom of Valis.

NRC 259

The dragons' covenant is founded. This covenant is an agreement by the dragons of Lodoss not to interfere with the politics and people of Lodoss, but does not bar them from feeding on its people.

NRC 313

The Academy of Sages is created.

NRC 473

Neese frees Bramd from Saluvan's curse. King Bruuk of Skard releases the demon god, who attacks the dwarven kingdom of Stone and the Mirror Forest (the mirror elves). The War of the Demon God begins, and the dragon covenant is abandoned. The hundred heroes and the allied order of knights are gathered and move to liberate those conquered by the demon god. Mycen is released from her curse. The mirror of truth is stolen by Karla the Grey Witch.

NRC 474

The demon god king is defeated by the Six Heroes: Fahn, Beld, Neese, Fleve, Wort, and Karla and their companion Flaus, the Valis Priestess.

NRC 48?

The seal on Naneel is broken in an earthquake. Naneel is defeated and her soul transmigrates into a baby. The baby, named Leylia, is given to Neese. Under Neese's care, Leylia's soul is strong and Naneel's soul does not wake up.

Beld declares a united Marmo, assuming the title of Dark Emperor. The Marmo Empire is inaugurated.

NRC 500

In Alecrast, Kashue is arrested and made a gladiator slave. Three years later, he procures his freedom, and leaves for the island of Lodoss, where he joins the Wind Tribe as a mercenary. One year later, at the Tower of Dust Storms, he frees Jinn from its sacred urn, and it is unspecified where he becomes the king of Flaim.

NRC 503

Karla takes control of Leylia.

NRC 508

Karla arranges dark priests from Marmo to help the Flame tribe and gives information on Ifrit. The appearance of the dark priests draws attention of other nations and so when the old chieftain is killed in a duel with Kashue, the new chieftain expels them.

(OVA continuity begins here): Karla frees a fire giant and gives it to Gyenon of Moss. Deedlit travels to the human world. Parn, Etoh, Slayn, and Ghim begin to travel together and are later joined by Deedlit. The War of Heroes begins. Fahn is struck down by Beld, Beld is challenged by King Kashue, during their fight Beld gets hit by an arrow shot by Karla, Kashue takes this chance to kill Beld. The War of Heroes ends. Parn and Ghim do battle with Karla. Leylia is freed, but Ghim dies. Karla takes control of Woodchuck. Parn and Deedlit travel to places to look for Woodchuck.

NRC 512

The Flame Tribe regains Ifrit and destroys Haven. Parn when to Flaim to investigate whether Woodchuck is with the Flame Tribe. Woodchuck is not there and Parn suspects Karla's involvement is some time ago. Using information from Leylia, who retains Karla's memory, Parn leads a team to the Tower of Dust Storms, where Deedlit frees Jinn from the guardian duty by striking a new covenant. In a final battle between Flaim and Flame tribe, Deedlit also frees Ifrit, causing the Flame tribe to surrender. The chieftain commits suicide. Spark, the last member of the house chieftain, becomes the new chieftain. Little Neese, daughter of Slayn and Leylia, is born. Naneel is born naturally as Little Neese instead of transmigration.

NRC 514

(Chronicles of the Heroic Knight continuity begins here): Narse and Shooting Star awaken from hibernation. Ashram defeats Narse and Wagnard forms a new covenant with the dragon. From Wagnard, Ashram learns of five governor's treasures but does not know which dragon is guarding which treasure. He sets out seeking the Scepter of Domination.

NRC 515

Ashram kills Bramd and finds its governor's treasure is missing. Ashram visits Neese and learns that the missing treasure is the Mirror of Truth. Neese alerts Slayn of Ashram's intention. Slayn goes to Raiden to find a ship to Blue Dragon Island and Parn goes to Flaim and joins Kashue's march to Dragon's Hunting Ground to fight Shooting Star. Shooting Star is wounded but Kashue's army receives heavy casualty. Slayn's companions are captured by Ashram and taken aboard to Blue Dragon Island. Ashram kills Abram and takes the Soul Crystal Ball. One of the captured escapes with the crystal ball. Ashram sets off to Fire Dragon Mountain, Kashue set off in pursuit. Kashue's party defeats Ashram's at Fire Dragon Mountain at the cost of Orson's life. The two side join forces and kill Shooting Star. Kashue and Ashram duel for the Scepter of Domination and Ashram loses. Ashram does not give up the scepter and the scepter falls into lava in the resulting struggle. Soul Crystal Ball is passed into Kashue's hand. Parn goes to Moss and help the prince of Highland defeat the fire giant of Gyenon. Parn goes to Valis and helps King Etoh retake Adan. Reona of Kannon assumes the title of King and forms the Kannon Free Army. Parn stays in Kannon Free Army.

NRC 520

The spell on the Forest of No Return is lifted.

NRC 524

Neese dies.

NRC 525

The War of the Destroyer's Resurrection begins. Under the order of Wagnard, the Dark Elves infiltrate Akroyd and steal the Soul Crystal Ball. Spark set off to pursuit the Dark Elves and meets Little Neese. The main temple of Falis at Roid is attacked and the Staff of Life is also lost. Wagnard captures Little Neese. Wagnard summons Kardis and uses Kardis's power to transform into the king of the dead. Wagnard hands the governor's treasures and Little Neese over to Karla. Duke Raster is executed. Kannon is freed. Ashram retreats and the Marmo ruling council is disbanded. Parn and Spark set off to rescue Little Neese. A holy war is declared on Marmo and in the end Marmo is defeated. Ashram and Pirotess depart for a new world with a large number of followers. Spark kills Wagnard and Wagnard's transformation completes. Little Neese resists Karla's attempt to summon Kardis and summons Marfa instead. Woodchuck is freed and Leylia wears Karla's circlet without being controlled. The War of the Destroyer's Resurrection ends. Parn is given the title the Knight of Lodoss and has the right to speak during meetings between kings. The temple of Kardis under the capital city is turned into a temple of Marfa.

NRC 526

The Duchy of Marmo is inaugurated as a dominion of Flaim. The first Duke of Marmo is named, Duke Spark. Some remnants of Marmo Empire crown one of Beld's sons in secret and form the New Marmo Empire. One of remnants borrows magical artifacts from Wagnard to fuel the instability of the dukedom. Little Neese regains the memory of Naneel.

NRC 527

The new Emperor is revealed to be a transmigrator, a follower of Kardis and the lover of Naneel in previous transmigrations, introduce other transmigrators and follower of Kardis into the Empire. The dark knights of New Marmo Empire rebel against them and are defeated. The Empire dissolves as the dark priests and dark elves leave and join forces with Marmo Dukedom. Spark leads the various forces of Marmo to attack Kardis's followers. The transmigrators teleport to the capital of Marmo Dukedom and take over the temple of Marfa. They summon many creatures from the portal located there, which connects to the World's End and the next Creation and cannot be destroyed by anything from within this world. Spark is defeated and Little Neese is captured. The wounded Spark retreats to the Dark Forest. Spark gains the help of the barbarian of the Dark Forest. The rumor of Spark's death reaches Lodoss. Kashue admits the destruction of Marmo Dukedom and agrees to call back Flaim's forces. Parn revokes the decision of the kings of sending in their forces and pushes the kings to allow the people of Marmo to have their own ruler. Parn raises an army of volunteers and sails to Marmo. Flaim's forces on Marmo refuse to return to Lodoss. Spark retakes the throne room before Parn and becomes King of Marmo. Spark and Parn defeat the transmigrators. Little Neese summons Kardis, a goddess from the next world, and destroys the portal with her power. Spark and Little Neese are trapped inside the World's End.

NRC 528

Slayn transports Spark and Little Neese back to the present world with a spell given by Wagnard.

The original OVA series and the TV series had both been released in North America through Central Park Media on VHS and on DVD. The OVA and TV series were slated for a Blu-ray release through Media Blasters,[1] but they have now dropped all plans to re-release the series.[2]

The Japanese online game company GameOn announced that it acquired the global license to make an online game for computers and mobile phones based on the Record of Lodoss War fantasy franchise from Kadokawa Production and Slowcurve. Ryo Mizuno, the novelist and co-creator of the franchise, will serve as a supervisor on the development of the online game. GameOn plans to release the game outside of Japan. GameOn also said that the new game will not be browser-based.[3]

Legend of Crystania (はじまりの冒険者たち レジェンド・オブ・クリスタニアHajimari no Bōkensha-tachi: Legend of Crystania?), a film and 3-episode OVA focusing on the adventures of Ashram and Pirotess in the continent of Crystania, which they migrate to after the Lodoss series.

Rune Soldier, a more comedic series from the same creator that is set in the same world as Record of Lodoss War.